Once Again..."STAY AWAY FROM THE AEROSTAT!"

[David-aviator]

Ron,

Not to minimize or condone flight through R-2916 or to not appreciate your frustration, this post does not belong on this forum - 99.9% of RV pilots do not have occasion to fly in your area of operation near Key West. And if they did, most would not penetrate the area so the number is more like 99.999%. The message is like getting a lecture on drinking untreated water in Africa - it doesn't apply here.

Beyond that, the designation of airspace for what you are doing should be PROHIBITED. Would that be possible (?) - probably not considering the bureaucratic government jungle controlling such matters. The activity does not meet that defined within a PROHIBITED area or some such excuse.

No question, unauthorized flight activity within a RESTRICTED area can be very hazardous but such activity is not wholly prohibited, read AIM on the subject. How that wording got in the book is probably the result of a compromise concerning locking up more airspace in this country.

That is an issue I am concerned about. If the government had a totally free hand in the matter, we would be lucky to have any airspace to fly in. The restrictions imposed since 9-11 are very apparent with moving TFR's popping up everywhere for all kinds of reasons, usually political. Every gathering of people can be and is so designated.

Also, there are designated areas that seldom get used. That last time I called ATC about flying through a MOA, the controller responded the area has not been used for months.

Getting back to RESTRICTED areas, be smart, stay out of them. Flying is hazardous enough without throwing that element into the brew.

[dlloyd3]

Pierre, I agree. Sometimes the FAA does try to protect us from something difficult to see with a restricted area. There is a 1400' tower 2 miles north of my airport (8A6). The nearly invisible wire supports are there waiting to remove a wing from the negligent. Hopefully there will be no restricted area

[RonH]

Originally Posted by David-aviator

Ron,

Not to minimize or condone flight through R-2916 or to not appreciate your frustration, this post does not belong on this forum - 99.9% of RV pilots do not have occasion to fly in your area of operation near Key West. And if they did, most would not penetrate the area so the number is more like 99.999%. The message is like getting a lecture on drinking untreated water in Africa - it doesn't apply here.

Beyond that, the designation of airspace for what you are doing should be PROHIBITED. Would that be possible (?) - probably not considering the bureaucratic government jungle controlling such matters. The activity does not meet that defined within a PROHIBITED area or some such excuse.

No question, unauthorized flight activity within a RESTRICTED area can be very hazardous but such activity is not wholly prohibited, read AIM on the subject. How that wording got in the book is probably the result of a compromise concerning locking up more airspace in this country.

That is an issue I am concerned about. If the government had a totally free hand in the matter, we would be lucky to have any airspace to fly in. The restrictions imposed since 9-11 are very apparent with moving TFR's popping up everywhere for all kinds of reasons, usually political. Every gathering of people can be and is so designated.

Also, there are designated areas that seldom get used. That last time I called ATC about flying through a MOA, the controller responded the area has not been used for months.

Getting back to RESTRICTED areas, be smart, stay out of them. Flying is hazardous enough without throwing that element into the brew.

David,

I agree with you as to this should be on a different forum. I have toyed with the idea of getting in contact with Paul Dye and seeing if this is maybe something that Kitplanes could get out there...even though AOPA would probably be even better. As to prohibited, the simple fact is, we DO allow some flight through the area (99.9% of the time it is Coast Guard doing SAR missions). However to do that there is a strict protocol that is used, including gettting permission prior to entering from Eastern Air Defense and verification that we are down and moored. I don't know what the answer is...I just know that, like Pierre indicated, it really is simple to avoid us and stay alive.

[NavyS3BNFO]

I, for one, think that all the ranting and back and forth about this is a good thing. Just look at how many views this thread has had so far - 5,000+. You?ve already done a good job of raising everyone?s awareness.

Keep up the rants ? it keeps the thread at the top of the list so more people see it. Next time I fly anywhere near Key West I?ll be sure to triple check the charts!!

Now back to your regularly scheduled rants?

[Geeman]

Originally Posted by NavyS3BNFO

I, for one, think that all the ranting and back and forth about this is a good thing. Just look at how many views this thread has had so far - 5,000+. You?ve already done a good job of raising everyone?s awareness.

Keep up the rants ? it keeps the thread at the top of the list so more people see it. Next time I fly anywhere near Key West I?ll be sure to triple check the charts!!

Now back to your regularly scheduled rants?

That is exactly what I was thinking. I will not forget this now and I do plan to fly in that area eventually. Make that 5000 +/- + 1.

[az_gila]

Since the AIM just got mentioned, I went and looked upo the section on Restricted areas....

3-4-3. Restricted Areas

a. Restricted areas contain airspace identified by an area on the surface of the earth within which the flight of aircraft, while not wholly prohibited, is subject to restrictions. Activities within these areas must be confined because of their nature or limitations imposed upon aircraft operations that are not a part of those activities or both. Restricted areas denote the existence of unusual, often invisible, hazards to aircraft such as artillery firing, aerial gunnery, or guided missiles. Penetration of restricted areas without authorization from the using or controlling agency may be extremely hazardous to the aircraft and its occupants. Restricted areas are published in the Federal Register and constitute 14 CFR Part 73.


Seems pretty clear to me, and even a label change to Prohibited wouldn't make any difference.

Stay out unless you have specific permission...

[esco]

In order of entertainment value:

"It's not about the nail in the head!"

>5500 hits (and counting.)



Yes, I will remember to stay South of US1 when passing Cudjoe Key

[RonH]

Originally Posted by esco

Yes, I will remember to stay South of US1 when passing Cudjoe Key

Thank You!

[sandpiper]

I think this information is appropriate for this forum although I probably won't be flying in south FL any time soon.

Also, aren't these things in other states, such as AZ, NM and TX?

[RonH]

Originally Posted by sandpiper

I think this information is appropriate for this forum although I probably won't be flying in south FL any time soon.

Also, aren't these things in other states, such as AZ, NM and TX?

And, Puerto Rico (although they don't have an aerostat at the moment). A list of all the TARS sites is on the web, so I'm not telling any secrets here:

Yuma, Az
Deming, NM
Marfa, Tx
Rio Grande City, Tx
Eagle Pass, Tx
Ft. Huachuca, Az
Cudjoe Key, FL
Lajas, Puerto Rico

Rules are the same around each.